Zack Snyder to direct new Superman; Chris Nolan involved

[Just Myself]

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision has confirmed that Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) has been hired to direct a new reboot of the Superman franchise, with Davd Goyer and Jonathan Nolan writing the script. Chirstopher Nolan will be supervising the project. Read the article above for more info.

Personally, I'm excited. Well, maybe a better term would be cautiously optimistic. Zack Snyder has fantastic visual flair and Goyer + the Nolans have been proven to be a dynamic writing force. I'll be seeing this one for sure in 2012.

Cheers,
JM

[estefan]

I chose the third option. I've only seen his Dawn of the Dead (which I liked), so I'm not sure how right he is. But, you never know from these projects? I mean, Memento is fantastic, but who would thought the director of that film would later go on to revive Batman?

[DaveWadding]

I think the thing that Snyder himself has written have been awful, and in spite of the amazing visuals, made the movies stink. With Goyer/J. Nolan writing the script however, I will go ahead and see this.

[disneyboy20022]

I voted the 3rd option as well...

Now is this a re-boot or a continuation of Superman Returns (I pray to dear god it's a re-boot or else I might be tempted to want the forums to have a recount in that case if its a continuation

[Disneykid]

I'm both a Superman fan and a Zack Snyder fan, and while I admit I had a hard time fitting the two together when his name was first thrown around a while ago, it's starting to make more and more sense.

I've enjoyed all of Snyder's films so far (liked Dawn of the Dead, really liked 300, and absolutely loved Watchmen and Legend of the Guardians). It's the latter film that really seals the deal for me since Guardians proves Snyder can adapt his style to suit the material rather than vice versa. It also proves he's capable of turning in a non-R-rated film while still squeezing the action and intensity for what it's worth.

Plus, as others have said, he's not writing this; Goyer and Nolan are. It'll have more class and sophistication than Snyder's films thanks to the writers, but it'll also have more of a distinctive style and identity than Nolan's Batman films thanks to Snyder. So with the writing duo's penchant for psychological action drama and Snyder's penchant for stylization and epic scope, this could turn out to be one amazing movie.

As one of the 10 people out there who genuinely loved Superman Returns, I was disappointed that we weren't getting a sequel from Bryan Singer. Now I feel much better about this reboot, certainly moreso than Marvel's Spider-Man reboot. Bring on 2012, I say.

[Escapay]

I'll wait to find out who his Superman/Clark Kent will be. Snyder is a capable director so I'm not worried how the film will turn out on a technical/storytelling level. But with such an iconic character as Superman, a lot of the film's success will also need to rely on who is cast in the role. I wouldn't mind Brandon Routh finishing what he started, but Superman Returns would still be on him regardless that this new movie is a reboot and not a sequel.

In addition, I don't want the whole film to be an origin story. Everyone and their mother knows how Superman came to be. And a whole generation already grew up with Tom Welling's "Smallville" to tell them that show's version of the story. Let this movie just put us in the middle of it all. Let it already be established that in this Superverse, Clark Kent already became Superman, he's already at the Daily Planet, and there's already a lot of sexual tension between him and Lois. If there is any need for an origin story, scatter it around like in Superman Returns or just make it like a 20-minute prologue like Superman: The Movie (not sure if it is 20 minutes, but you get the idea).

albert

[slave2moonlight]

I mostly agree with Escapay. I kinda feel that reboots need retellings of the origin stories though, but frankly, that can be done sufficiently in the opening credits, ha. I mean, with a story this familiar. However, it serves to say, "Hey, this is a reboot." And, frankly, I'm glad for the reboot, because while some things about Superman Returns I loved, some things I didn't. One thing I haven't liked about either that one nor Smallville (though I've been a big Smallville fan since day one) is how much they deviate from the comics. I am okay with that to a certain degree, as I'm not even a reader of the comics, but I still feel they should be truer to them to a higher level than those two productions are. In other words, the whole thing with Superman having a son. And it probably bugs me more that, to do that, they decided to play that Superman 3 and 4 didn't even exist (and, frankly, I think Superman 3 is a good movie). I just feel that was a silly thing to do. Anyway, I'm hopeful for the next one, but I'll reserve judgement, and I also agree that casting is important. Frankly, I want to see Tom Welling as Supes, but I don't expect to see that on the big screen, since everyone would view it as Smallville the movie and the studio probably wouldn't want that. Wish they'd do a Metropolis show though. But, by now Welling is probably tired of playing Clark, I guess. It's a shame though, because I thought he was perfect, and they have a perfect Lois there too. I would also say they have a perfect Supergirl, though I kinda lean towards the one from the 90's animated series (okay, I LOVE that one), and Vandervoort reminds me more of the oldschool style.

[TheValentineBros]

I agree with the third option. I like Zack Snyder, he does do good films, but I haven't seen Legend of Guardians, however, it looks good, but I'll wait till the judgment has been passed.

[Lazario]

Great; two hacks for the price of one (well, actually, they'll probably pay them 4x what each are worth).

[Disney Duster]

Escapay, I had to think a bit before I remembered how Superman came to be, and even then, I'm fuzzy on the details. Just like Slave2moonlight said, this is a re-boot. It kind of needs to start at the beginning because it's...going back to the beginning. Though a prologue and a flash forward to a climactic "in the middle of it all" story would be good, too.

There will be plenty of time to make a sequel that has a story with more "in the middle" established job and sexual tension, though.

Also, remember, every movie is a chance to show a new, sometimes better interpretation on stories we already know.

[PixarFan2006]

I am unsure how Snyder will handle adapting Superman. I just hope he does not rely too much on visuals or slow-motion shots. I really do not want it to be a reboot as we already know the origin of Superman (as others have stated on this thread).

On a side note, I thought Superman Returns was an okay edition to the franchise, but after recently viewing both Superman I and Superman II, i find it inferior to both films (It is still above III and IV, which I have yet to watch)

[Escapay]

I would also say they have a perfect Supergirl, though I kinda lean towards the one from the 90's animated series (okay, I LOVE that one), and Vandervoort reminds me more of the oldschool style.

Helen Slater is my one and only Supergirl.

Though if they ever did decide to make a Supergirl movie, I wouldn't mind Emily Osment taking the role in a few years.

Escapay, I had to think a bit before I remembered how Superman came to be, and even then, I'm fuzzy on the details.

That's why I said "20-minute prologue" or "scatter it around [the film]." It's a familiar enough story, but not one that need an entire 2+ hour movie devoted to it.

It's like taking an hour to give directions to a place that's ten minutes away. It can be condensed down to the bare essentials while still being an interesting enough story that doesn't take too long to be told.

albert

[Disney Duster]

Wel, I guess what I meant was it should be an evolution of that story into a "middle of it all" story. You see, I already know so little about the story I'm not sure if doing the story would take up too much time, but I guess what I mean is seeing how Superman became Superman.

Actually, a perfect example is Batman Begins. Just make the dead parents bat cave and martial arts story be Superman's origin (meteor, baby, high school?) to his job, and then the big villain problem.

Besides, a movie more about Superman's identity, parents, friends, loves, relationships and growing up would have more emotional engagement than "I'm already so great, watch me beat this bad guy up!".

[milojthatch]

While, I admit, not the best Superman film, "Superman Returns" was still enjoyable and I'm sad it will not get a proper sequel. I guess it now stands as a one shot dedicated to honoring the Reeves films.

As for this new one, I worry about it, a lot! But, it may end up being the best ever, hard to say. From stuff I've read and the track record of the guys behind it, I worry they are going to make it too dark and violent and make Superman something he is not. But, even I would admit I'd like to see more villains then Lex in these films! Although, from what I hear in the rumor mill, Zod may be the villain, which is almost as bad. Superman has a lot more cool villains then that. Where is Brainiac or Metallio? What about Bizarro or Parasite? I'd leave Doomsday and/ or Darkside to the end of a movie series, but still, I just names six new, and really cool, villains right there without even much thought!